Resort in Bohol shares sustainable
eco-tourism initiatives for Bohol PIOs
By Elvie Bongosia
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The Bellevue Resort in Panglao partnered with the Association of United Development Information Officer (AUDIO) in Bohol on Dec. 6 to share their sustainable eco-tourism initiatives.
Since its opening in 2013, the eco-friendly resort has been consistently spearheading meaningful initiatives — leading responsible tourism in Bohol, in its efforts to highlight the importance of playing an active role in helping the community where it operates.
Resort manager Andrew Fernandes shared that through their partner foundation Specialized Training and Education for Pilipino Students (STEPS) Mission School, they have a Mobile Classroom of Hope for pupils in Barangay Doljo in Panglao, where the resort is located.
The classroom primarily stands as a supplementary daycare center to teach children how to read before they enter grade school.
It also offers livelihood training programs for parents of enrolled students.
“With our longtime commitment to sustainability, the resort harnesses its energy from solar panels to minimize environmental impact and maximize cost efficiency which we also see as a great opportunity to educate children about climate change and the importance of promoting sustainability,” Fernandes said.
The resort has also partnered with the Department of Tourism’s DIVE 7 to launch the Native Giant Clams Rescue Project in Momo Beach in Panglao in April 2023, with the aim to safeguard the future of giant clams as part of its sustainable tourism advocacy.
“What people don’t know is that giant clams have a huge cultural significance to the Boholanos. In the ancient animistic times, it was used for sacrifices or celebrations. It was their big bowl, literally, the giant clam, the Taklobo. That’s why, that was one of the reasons why we chose to help save it and revive it. Because whenever you do archaeological digs in Bohol, that’s one of the first things you’ll see,” Fernandes shared.
From the 7.2 magnitude in 2013, to the more recent super typhoon Odette last 2021, the resort was quick to get back on its feet, and made sure that others benefit from their resources, too.
“We’re lucky during Odette, only a few parts of the roof flew off, but everybody else around us was devastated. We were one of the few resorts to bounce back. I think for the first three months, we were the only ones with a regular energy grid, so we had residents who stayed with us for three months. There was a water shortage, too, but fortunately we were able to distribute water to the locals with our spring water reservoir,” the resort owner shared.
Aside from electricity and water, food security is also part of the top priority of the resort, without compromising on eco-consciousness.
The resort has a farm in Barangay Lourdes, where they grow herbs, vegetables, chickens, and pigs.
As to waste management, the resort complies with LGU-mandated segregation, and they also feed their pigs from some of the leftovers they acquire.
“The challenge of going green is palpable, but it doesn’t have to be a negative thing,” Fernandes said.
Because of Bellevue’s notable environmentally-friendly systems and programs, the resort was a recipient of the prestigious ASEAN Green Hotel Hall of Fame, ANAHAW awards, and also recognized as one of TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Hall of Fame awardees in Asia.
They also received the prestigious Philippine Tourism Award’s Regional Citation for Resort Star Rated of the Year.
Fernandez encouraged the PIOs to replicate their resort’s notable environmentally-friendly systems and programs in their communities.
He also invited the group to partner with them in their upcoming advocacies as AUDIO-Bohol has their members as manpower while the resort has the resources. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)
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